Foot and leg exerciser apparatus



Nov. 19, 192.5. A. P. MEYER 2,021,801

FOOT AND LEG EXERCISER APPARATUS Filed Sept. '7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet llrwenfar Attorney Nov 19; 1935. MEYER 2,021,801

FOOT AND LEG EXERCISER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 7, 1935 2 Shets-Sheet 2,

Fig. 4.

lrwen for By {5M Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEClaims.

This invention relates to a foot and leg exerciser apparatus and has forits object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, anapparatus of the class referred to for rejuvenating, exercising 5 andre-strengthening the muscles of the feet and legs.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an apparatus for the purpose referred to which issimple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact,thoroughly efiicient for the purpose intended thereby, readilyassembled, quickly repaired when occasion requires, adjustable andcomparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

: With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consistsof the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe more specifically described and as are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationsmay be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional View on line l--|, Figure 5,

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line ll, Figure 5, when one of theplatforms of the apparatus is depressed,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3, Figure 5,

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the apparatus, and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

The apparatus includes a pair of depressible and extendible rectangularplatforms 7, 8 of the desired width and length to the outer side edges9, It of which are secured upstanding supports II, I? respectivelyhaving rounded bottom edges it. The sup-ports are coextensive with theouter side edges of and have their tops flush with the upper faces ofthe platforms. The supports depend from the platforms and constitutefulcrums therefor. The platforms and supports are preferably constructedfrom wood. The upper face throughout each platform has secured thereon acovering it of rubber which is of a width to overlap completely theinner side edge of the platform, to extend on the lower face of thelatter and also to extend upon the upper portion of the outer side faceof a support. The coverings M. are also secured to the supports and tothe inner side edges and inner faces of the platforms. The coverings l4extend from one end to the other of the platforms and constitute treadsurfaces for the patient to walk upon. The platforms are maintained, byadjustable means to be referred to, at opposite inclinations withrespect to each other, that is to say, each platform extends inwardly atan upward inclination from its associ- 5 ated support. When theplatforms are in their normal position the inner side edges thereof willbe spaced from each other, such as is shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Associated with the platforms is a series of 10 spaced parallel,upstanding, extendible and depressible coupling structures l5 therefornormally maintaining the platforms 7, 8 extended, that is to say, in theposition shown in Figures 1 and 3. The structures l5 are of like formand 15 the description of one will apply to the other. Each of saidstructures includes a pair of spaced angle bars l6, l1 formed ofhorizontal legs I8, I9 respectively and vertical legs 20, 2|respectively depending from one side of the horizontal 20 legs, avertically disposed compound lever 22 formed with a pair of oppositelyinclined upper long arms 23, 24 and a pair of lower oppositely inclinedshort arms 25, 26, a pair of oppositely extending endwise aligning,horizontally dis- 25 posed combined extendible and contractible springs21, 28, a pairof oppositely inclined upstanding links 33, 34 and a pairof oppositely outwardly inclined coupling arms 35, 36. The spring 2'! isformed with a pair of oppositely ex- 30 tending axially arranged endterminal portions 29, 33. The spring 28 is formed with a pair ofoppositely extending axially arranged end terminal portions 3|, 32. Thearm 35 has secured to its lower end a pair of spaced laterally extend-35 ing parallel inner and outer pins 3'5. The arm 36 has secured to itsouter end a pair of spaced laterally extended parallel inner and outerpins 38. The vertical legs 2E3, ii of the angle bars I6,

I! are formed centrally thereof with the open- 40 ings 39, 48respectively. The lower end of the long arms 23, 24 merge into the upperends of the short arms 25, 26. The arms 23, 24 have their outer sideedges out out to provide clearances 4|, 42 respectively for the coiledparts of 46 41 for a purpose to be referred to.

The horizontal leg I8 of bar I6 is secured to the inner face of platformI and has its ends spaced from the side edges of the latter. Thehorizontal leg I9 of bar I1 is secured to the inner face of platform 8and has its ends spaced from the side edges of the latter. The upperends of the arms 23, 24 are pivotally connected, as at 48, 49respectively, in proximity to the upper ends of the legs 2|], 2Irespectively of the bars I6, I! respectively. The lower ends of the arms25, 26 are pivotally connected, as at 50, 5I respectively, to the upperor inner ends of the links 33, 34 respectively. The lower ends of thelinks 33, 34, through the medium of the openings 46 41, are detachablyconnected to one of the pins 31 and to one of the pins 38 in thelowerends of the coupling arms 35, 36 respectively. The links 33, 34 areconnected to the inner pins 31,38. The cutouts 45, 46 provide clearancesfor the outer pins 31, 38. The outer pins 31, 38 coact with the cutouts45, 46 respectively to provide stops for arresting the depressiblemovement of the structures I5. The coupling arms 35, 36 are pivoted attheir outer ends, as at 50 5| respectively, to and in proximity to thelower ends of the vertical legs 20, 2I respectively. The end terminalportions 30, 3| of the springs 21, 28 respectively are connected throughthe medium of the openings 43, 44 respectively to the lever 22. The endterminal portions 29, 32 of the springs 21, 28 respectively areconnected to the angle bars I6, I! respectively through the medium ofthe openings 39, 40 respectively formed in the legs 20, 2I respectively.

The apparatus includes a pair of adjustable spaced parallel combinedcoupling and angularly adjusting structures 52 for the platforms I, 8.The structures 52 are of like form and each consists of a pair ofoppositely disposed plates 53, 54 formed with depending apertured lugs55, 56 respectively, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced aligningoppositely extending arms 51, 58 provided with oppositely threadedsockets 59, 66 opening at the inner ends thereof; a rotatable shaft 6|having spaced oppositely threaded portions 62, 63; a hub 64 encompassingand fixed, as at 65, to the shaft 6I between'the portions 62, 63 and aworm pinion 66 carried by hub 64. The arms 51, 58 are pivotallyconnected at their outer ends, as at 61, 68 respectively, to the lugs55, 56 respectively of the plates 53, 54 respectively. The plates 53, 54are fixedly secured to the inner faces of the platforms I, 8respectively.

There is associated with the structures 52 a common adjusting meanstherefor. The said means includes a pair of yoke-shaped hangers 69depending from the shafts 6| and having the hubs 64 arranged between theupper ends there of. Journaled in bearings I in the lower portion of thehangers I9 is an elongated rotatable adjusting shaft II carrying spacedworms I2 which mesh with the worm pinions 66 for rotating the latter onthe operating of shaft II. The latter has extended from one end thereofa crank handle I3.

When shaft II is rotated in one direction the shaft 6| will be rotatedin a direction to draw the lower portions of the platforms towards eachother to increase the angle of inclination of the platforms 1, 8. Whenshaft 6I is rotated in the opposite direction the lower portions of theplatforms are moved away' from each other to decrease the angle ofinclination of the platforms.

The plates 53,54, lugs 55, 56, arms 51, 58 and shaft 6| coact to providea brace for the platforms, as well as a pair of coupling supports uponwhich the platforms may pivot when they are depressed and extended.

A structure I is located in proximity to the end of the apparatus. Astructure 52 is arranged in 5 proximity to each end of the apparatus.The structures 52 are arranged inwardly but in close proximity to thosestructures I5 located in proximity to the ends of the apparatus. Anotherstructure I5 is disposed at the transverse median of the apparatus andthe other structures I5 are arranged in proximity to but inwardly of thestructures 52.

A person with weakened muscles of the feet and legs to be treated by theapparatus steps on the platforms, at one end thereof and walks along ata normal pace to the other end. The platforms, during this treatment,will be at an angle of about 22 degrees. As the patient walks along theplatforms, the springs allow a rebound of about 1 inches. This reboundis increased as treatments progress, and the angles of the platformswill also be gradually increased from a 22 degree angle to a 45 degreeangle. The rebound and angle of the platforms are adjusted by the wormshaft coacting with the structures 52.

What I claim is:

1. In a foot and leg exercising apparatus, a pair of upstandingoppositely inclined spaced extendible and depressible platforms,shiftable supports for, secured to and providing fulcrums for saidplatforms, spaced parallel adjustable combined coupling, bracing andangularly adjusting structures for and pivotally connected to the innerfaces of the platforms, and spaced parallel compressible springcontrolled link and lever structures common to and for normallyextending the platforms and each pivotally connected at spaced pointswith the inner face of each platform.

2. In a foot and leg exercising apparatus, a pair of upstandingoppositely inclined spaced extendible and depressible platforms,shiftable supports for, secured to and providing fulcrums for saidplatforms, spaced parallel adjustable combined coupling, bracing andangularly adjusting structures for and pivotally connected to the innerfaces of the platforms, spaced parallel compressible spring controlledlink and lever structures common to and for normally extending theplatforms and each pivotally connected at spaced 5 points with the innerface of each platform, and

an adjusting means for and common to said adjustable combined coupling,bracing and angularly adjusting structures for said platforms.

3. In a foot and leg exercising apparatus, a pair of upstandingoppositely inclined spaced extendible and depressible platforms,shiftable supports for, secured to and providing fulcrums for saidplatforms, spaced parallel adjustable combined coupling, bracing andangularly adjusting o0 structures for and pivotally connected to theinner faces of the platforms, spaced parallel compressible springcontrolled link and lever structures common to and for normallyextending the platforms and each pivotally connected at spaced pointswith the inner face of each platform, and each of said spring controlledlink and lever mechanisms provided with a pair of stops, each forlimiting the depressible action of a platform.

4. In a foot and leg exercising apparatus, a pair 70 of upstandingfulcrumed oppositely inclined spaced independently extendible anddepressible platforms providing tread surfaces, coupling structures forand pivotally connected to the inner faces of said platforms, saidstructurers including means for simultaneously angularly adjusting saidplatforms relative to each other, said platform independently pivotingon said structures, and spaced spring controlled structures pivotallyconnected to the inner faces of said platforms normally tending tomaintain said platforms extended.

5. In a foot and leg exercising apparatus, a pair of upstandingfulcrumed oppositely inclined spaced independently extendible anddepressible platforms providing tread surfaces, coupling structures forand pivotally connected to the inner faces of said platforms, saidstructures including means for simultaneously angularly adjusting saidplatforms relative to each other, said platforms independently pivotingon said structures, spaced spring controlled structures pivotallyconnected to the inner faces of said platforms normally tending tomaintain said platforms extended, and each of said spring controlledstructures having coacting parts to provide a pair of stops, each forlimiting the depressible action of a platform. 10

ALBERT P. MEYER.

